10.03.2007

Anna Nicole Smith Death Photo Statement

Anna Nicole Smith Death Photo Statement

"Shortly after I was retained by Howard Stern, I received firsthand information that MOE BRIGHTHAUPT ("Big Moe") had contacted tabloids offering for sale one or more photographs of Anna Nicole Smith. Yesterday, photographs of Anna Nicole and Dannielynn were posted on various Internet websites. These photographs are the property of the Estate of Anna Nicole Smith and were stolen from her camera shortly after her death. Big Moe denies selling the photographs but admits that he is distributing them. His misappropriation of Estate property is unlawful and his stated motives for doing so are not credible.

"This is another egregious example of deceit and manipulation by individuals and certain members of the media to profit from Anna Nicole's death. Even more disturbing is the fact that selective photographs have been distributed - intentionally selected to make Anna Nicole and others appear in a false light. Fortunately, the memory card stolen from the camera had been downloaded before it was stolen and the Estate is in possession of every photograph in the series. The other photographs clearly show that Anna Nicole, as she often did, was merely playing for the camera.

"The Estate shall pursue all available remedies against any individual or entity involved in the unauthorized distribution or publication of these, or any other, stolen photographs."